Maharashtra: Deemed College admissions to be taken over by State govt

Mumbai: The state government’s decision to take over counselling and admission process for private and deemed medical and dental institutes has been further strengthened by the MCI notice dated 11th March instructing the same. A separate notice by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, about the same, will also be issued soon.

The state is also in for a hearing on the issue of the admission process in the High Court, on Tuesday. However, the MCI’s stand in favour of it has strengthened its position in court. “We will go ahead with the MCI’s order and issue a notification. Our case has become stronger,” said Pravin Shingare, Director, DMER.

A notice had been issued by the DMER for the academic year 2016-17 stating its decision to conduct admissions to private and deemed institutes, which was challenged by the colleges in the High Court.

While the High Court supported private and deemed college management, the DMER won the case in the Supreme Court in September 2016. Admissions to most seats had been covered by then, which the apex court not terming them- invalid. However, it said that around 350 seats that are still vacant, and would be filled by the state. The court also stated that admissions for the academic year 2017-18, for deemed and private medical colleges would be taken by the Bombay High Court. The case will be heard on Tuesday. “We are confident that the High Court will side with us this time,” said Shingare.

The colleges have yet to decide whether to challenge the MCI order. “We are awaiting the High Court verdict and haven’t decided on the further course of action,” said Kamal Kishor Kadam, President , Unaided Medical College Association. “After the hearing on Tuesday, we will go through the MCI order and decide whether to challenge it,” he told the Indian Express.

As the state prepares a stronger case, medical aspirants and their parents are relieved that the admission process will be conducted through a single-window system. “Earlier, applicants had to go to individual colleges for counselling and confirming their admissions. They had to pay admission fee separately. Now, this will be streamlined and there will be more transparency,” said Mahendra Choudhury, a medical aspirants father appearing for NEET in 2017.

Mr.Choudhury further stated besides the common admission process, regulation of fee in Private and deemed medical colleges was also called for.